Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoCharles Krupa | ASSOCIATED PRESSCeltics guard Rajon Rondo drives to the basket against the Knicks’ Jason Kidd. Rondo had a triple-double, but Boston still lost 89-86.

Kyrie Irving isn’t just an All-Star. He also has joined an elite circle exclusive only to Hall
of Fame-worthy players.

Irving, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ point guard, was named to his first All-Star Game yesterday, as
a reserve for the Eastern Conference, by the league's coaches in just his second season. He becomes
the sixth-youngest player named to an All-Star team (20 years, 331 days), and one of seven to make
it before turning 21.

The list to make an All-Star team before turning 21 is full of players either in the Hall of
Fame or certainly headed there when they retire: Kobe Bryant (19 years, 169 days), LeBron James (20
years, 52 days), Magic Johnson (20 years, 173 days), Kevin Garnett (20 years, 266 days), Isiah
Thomas (20 years, 276 days) and Shaquille O'Neal (20 years, 353 days).

“It’s one of the best days of my life,” Irving said. “It’s a big deal for me, and it’s a big
deal for the city of Cleveland, to be picked as an All-Star for the first time.”

Irving joins Jrue Holiday of Philadelphia as the only reserves to make it from teams with losing
records.

Among the other reserves, Tim Duncan was selected to his 14th All-Star Game, San Antonio Spurs
teammate Tony Parker is joining him, and two players from the Chicago Bulls also were chosen in
Joakim Noah and Luol Deng.

Noah, Irving and Holiday are joined by New York’s Tyson Chandler and Indiana’s Paul George as
All-Star first-timers on the Eastern Conference team.

Miami’s Chris Bosh, picked for his eighth All-Star team, rounds out the East bench.

West forwards David Lee (Golden State), LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland) and Zach Randolph (Memphis)
were picked for the second time. Houston’s James Harden was chosen for the first time and joins
former Oklahoma City teammate Russell Westbrook, who’s headed to his third straight All-Star
Game.

Last night’s highlight

Knicks 89, Celtics 86 — Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and won his rematch with Kevin Garnett,
and New York ended an 11-game losing streak playing in Boston.

It came 17 days after a verbal clash between the All-Star forwards led to Anthony’s one-game
suspension.

There was no sign of hostility between Anthony and Garnett. At one point, Anthony even extended
his hand to a fallen Garnett and helped the Celtic to his feet.